We've boarded thousands of pets over the years, and the packing question is the one we hear most from first-time clients. The short answer: bring what's familiar, skip what's new. Boarding is already a novel environment — the goal is to reduce the number of changes hitting your pet at once, not add a new food and a new toy to the equation.
Please bring: their regular food, pre-portioned in labeled bags or a labeled container with clear AM/PM instructions; all current medications in original packaging with written dosing and timing; a blanket or unwashed t-shirt that smells like home; any specific medical records we don't already have; and a reliable emergency contact who can be reached during your trip.
Please don't bring: new chews or novel treats introduced on day one (GI upset is the last thing anyone wants); brand-new toys (if it's going to be destroyed, better it happens at home than here); elaborate feeding setups that differ from how we normally feed (simpler = fewer mistakes); rawhide; and anything that's irreplaceably sentimental — even our careful team can lose track of a much-loved stuffed hedgehog across a 10-day stay.
If your pet is on medications, please drop off at least two extra doses beyond the stay length. Flights get delayed, returns get rescheduled, and we'd rather have a buffer than call you on vacation to say we're running short. Same goes for their food — bring a cup or two extra. We can bridge with house food if absolutely necessary, but familiar food means a smoother stay.
One quiet recommendation: plan a half-day daycare visit or a single overnight trial before the first long boarding stay. A one-night 'test boarding' before a 10-day trip lets us spot any issues (sensitive stomach on our routine, stress eating, trouble with our walk schedule) while you're still in town, not while you're on a beach. Our first-stay pets who do a trial beforehand have noticeably smoother actual stays.
Finally, if you're worried: we text bedtime photos, and you can call any time during open hours for an update. Your pet is in good hands, and you should enjoy your trip.
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